The elderly drilled in human rights

Malawi Network of Older Persons Organisation (Manepo) has drilled the elderly  in Mzuzu in human rights issues.

Speaking on Tuesday during the training, Manepo country director Andrew Kavala said Malawi remains one of the countries where older citizens live in fear of mob justice that emanates from witchcraft beliefs.

“That is why we have rolled out this training to intensify awareness on the rights of elderly people,” he said.

Kavala said that last year 15 elderly persons were killed on allegations of witchcraft while this year the country has registered three deaths over the same.

In his remarks, 67-year-old Walakata Msiska from Nkhorongo in the city asked for more civic education among people on the rights of elderly people.

He said: “We do not participate in socioeconomic activities in our areas for fear of being attacked by people.

“Sometimes we do not socialise, which makes us feel lonely.”

Government in conjunction with Manepo conducted a survey on the attacks on the elderly last year which found out that 24 percent of the elderly are accused of witchcraft.

Recently, three elderly people were killed in Mulanje, Nkhata Bay and Dedza districts over witchcraft allegations.

Manepo is implementing the civic-education programme with funding from Commonwealth Foundation to the tune of £400 000 (K464  million).